The NASP Children's Fund is excited to announce the San Francisco Convention 2011 service project. The Children's Fund will support the Larkin Street Youth Services Organization (YSO) in two ways: Welcome packets will be provided for the young people who make use of the services of the Larkin Street project, and funds will be provided by the Children's Fund to the Youth Services Organization. In addition, there will be opportunities for convention participants to volunteer their time in activities to be determined within the next few months.

The Larkin Street Youth Services Organization provides shelters, drop-in centers, transition services, and education services for homeless and/or runaway youth at 13 different locations in the San Francisco area, 5 of which are in the downtown area. Individuals who are served range in age from 12 to 24 with some locations specifically dedicated to serving only 12 to 17 year olds. The focus of the Children's Fund will be on the sites that serve the younger individuals.

A great ongoing need is for welcome kits for the homeless youth who generally have very few personal belongings. It is for this reason that the Children's Fund will be asking convention attendees to contribute many of the items listed below. There is a 6 to 4 ratio of boys to girls in the Larkin Street facilities, so convention attendees should keep that ratio in mind when gathering the items from the following wish list:

Paja ma pants

New underwear (socks, shorts, bras)

T-shirts

Toiletry bags

Shampoo and conditioner

Showergelorsoap

Deodorant

Toothbrushes and toothpaste

Combs and brushes

Laundry bags

Hand towels

Water bottles

Journals, pens, pencils

Shower caddies

Notes of encouragement

NASP members are encouraged to bring items for the welcome kits and to solicit donations from businesses in their towns and cities.

The Children's Fund Board of Trustees has committed to a financial contribution of $10,000 for the Larkin Street YSO. In addition to purchasing items to complete a designated number of welcome packets, a specific area of need is yet to be determined. Under consideration are funds for furniture, books, educational materials, materials for a kitchen, paint, or even materials to develop a garden. Children's Fund Trustees are considering a challenge to all attendees to contribute $2 toward the project, which would greatly increase the impact NASP will have on the homeless youth of San Francisco by going above the already pledged $10,000.

Opportunities for on-site volunteer activities will be announced closer to the time of convention, some of which may include: makeovers of rooms or living areas, putting together welcome kits, and preparing and/or serving meals.

Those wishing to make a monetary donation to the project prior to the convention may send contributions to Children's Fund Treasurer Judy Martin, 9000 226th Court, 14A, Salem, WI 53168-8957. Please note intent of the donation.

For further information, please contact the Children's Fund Board president, Joelene Goodover, atjsong@mail .centric.net or (406) 761-1970.

Author affiliation:

JOELENE GOODOVER, NCSP, is president of the NASP Children's Fund, Inc.